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{{Government Lectures}}

{{Government Lectures}}

Government and politics affects nearly every aspect of society.  Violent video games?  The U.S. Supreme Court, by a narrow 5-4 majority, said that they are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.  Of course, that does not make violent video games right, but it does affect how many people play them, and whether state legislatures can pass laws limiting their use by children.

Government and politics affects nearly every aspect of society.  Violent video games?  The U.S. Supreme Court, by a narrow 5-4 majority, said that they are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.  Of course, that does not make violent video games right, but it does affect how many people play them, and whether state legislatures can pass laws limiting their use by children.

Perhaps the most important clause of the U.S. Constitution is in Article IV, known as the "Supremacy Clause":

Perhaps the most important clause of the U.S. Constitution is in Article IV, known as the "Supremacy Clause":

{{cquote|Constitution and the laws of the United States...shall be the supreme law of the land ... anything in the constitutions or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.}}

{{cquote|Constitution and the laws of the United States ... shall be the supreme law of the land ... anything in the constitutions or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.}}

The meaning of this provision is that all federal law, rules, regulations and federal court decisions "trump" (preempt) any state law that is contrary.

The meaning of this provision is that all federal law, rules, regulations and federal court decisions "trump" (preempt) any state law that is contrary.

Florida attempted to trim back its early voting period for the last election, but the Obama Administration used the Voting Rights Act to object to that.  The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government extraordinary powers of "pre-clearance" before any area subject to the Voting Rights Act changes its election laws.

Florida attempted to trim back its early voting period for the last election, but the Obama Administration used the Voting Rights Act to object to that.  The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government extraordinary powers of "pre-clearance" before any area subject to the Voting Rights Act changes its election laws.

These areas of the Nation are subject to the Voting Rights Act (note that New Jersey is not subject to it):

These areas of the Nation are subject to the Voting Rights Act (note that New Jersey is not subject to it).  These are known as "Section 5 Covered Jurisdictions":<ref>"Section 5" refers to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  The federal government can add or subtract jurisdictions simply by issuing a federal regulation, without Congress actually approving the addition of a new State or county to the list.</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Busing ==

== Busing ==

Answer the first five questions, and then two of the remaining three, for a total of seven questions:

Answer the first five questions, and then two of the remaining three, for a total of seven questions:

1.  <>.

1.  Comment on a question that you missed in one of the quizzes taken so far in this course - and how you won't miss a question about it in the future.

<br>2.  <>.

<br>2.  The Supremacy Clause may be the most important in the entire U.S. Constitution.  Discuss.

<br>3.  <>.

<br>3.  Was Rhode Island part of the United States when George Washington was sworn into office?  If not, then why not?

<br>4.  <>.

<br>4.  Pick a Supreme Court decision described in this lecture, and explain it briefly.

<br>5.  <>.

<br>5.  What is the 16th Amendment, and how did it change the United States?

<br>6.  <>.

<br>6.  Does New Jersey need approval by the U.S. Department of Justice before changing its laws about early voting?  Explain briefly.

<br>7.  <>.

<br>7.  "Be careful what you ask for" might describe which ironic part of political history?

<br>8.  <>

<br>8.   

'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following five questions):

'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following five questions):

9. <>.

9. Had you ever heard of "busing" prior to this lecture, and do you have an opinion about it?  Explain.

<br>10. <>.

<br>10. <>.

<br>11. <>.

<br>11. Even a statement at a birthday party can have political consequences.  Discuss.

<br>12. <>

<br>12. Any issue in this lecture.

<br>13. <>.

<br>13. Any issue discussed in this course so far.

You can post your answers at [[American Government Homework Eleven]].

You can post your answers at [[American Government Homework Eleven]].